Western Dressage Level 3
Western Dressage Level 3 is the fifth level of the horse and rider’s development and serves stepping stone in the progressive training required in the sport of Western Dressage. The Level 3 horse should demonstrate that accepts more weight on the hindquarter and the impulsion required in Level 2. Additionally, the horse should show a consistent contact. Ride-ability, balance and suppleness should be emphasized as the horse continues collected work.
Western Dressage Level 3 Requirements
Western Dressage Level 3 is comprised of 4 tests. All tests exhibit the working walk, collected jog, collected lope, free walk and simple changes. The horse and rider should also demonstrate a halt ranging for 3 seconds in the tests. These tests contain mainly straight lines, 10-meter, 15-meter and 20-meter circle and include collected jog, collected jog, free walk, working walk. These movements are designed to show the horses ability to perform the required movements in a willing, relaxed way. The horse and rider are judged on the following:
- Gaits (freedom and regularity, elasticity of the steps) – Coefficient = X1
- Impulsion (engagement – transmission of an eager and energetic, yet controlled positive forward energy generated from the hindquarters into the athletic movement of the horse; suppleness of the back) Coefficient = X2
- Rider’s position, seat & hands (well-balanced elastic seat demonstrating vertical, centered alignment, with light independent contact from hand(s)) – Coefficient = X1
- Rider’s correct and effective use of the aids (evidenced by the horse’s responsiveness; steady elastic connection cultivating athletic expression. Accuracy – precise placement of the figures and transitions, the effectiveness of the rider’s aids determines the accurate fulfillment of the required movements of the tests) – Coefficient = X1
- Harmony (The horse accepts the aids and influence of the rider with attention, relaxation and confidence; and demonstrates a willing partnership between horse and rider resulting in a free flowing performance.) – Coefficient = X2
Western Dressage Level 3 New Movement Requirements
Pivot from turn on the forehand
Half pass at collected trot
Renvers
Counter lope serpentine
20m circle with rein release
Lope from the back
Pivot 360 degrees
15m circle with rein release
Half pass at the lope
Lope serpentine, width of the arena
Lope from half pivot
Western Dressage Level 3 Tests
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 3 Test 1
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | C H-E | Track left Shoulder-in left |
| 3. | E-X X-H | Half circle left 10m (X2 Coefficient) Half pass left |
| 4. | M-P P | Lengthen the stride in jog Collected jog |
| 5. | K-E | Shoulder-in right |
| 6. | E-X X-K | Half circle right 10m (x2 Coefficient) Half pass right |
| 7. | A F | Working walk Halt 3 seconds, half turn on the forehand right (haunches left) |
| 8. | F | Half pivot right Proced working walk |
| 9. | P-E E | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 10. | S | Halt 3 seconds, half turn on the forehand left (haunches right) |
| 11. | S | Half pivot left, proceed working walk |
| 12. | C R R | Collected lope right lead (x2 Coeffiient) Circle right 20m, lengthened lope Collected lope |
| 13. | B X | Turn right Circle right 10m |
| 14. | X | Simple change of lead |
| 15. | E | Turn left |
| 16. | P P | Circle left 20m, lengthened lope (x2 Coefficient) Collected lope |
| 17. | B X | Turn left Circle left 10m |
| 18. | X E | Simple change of lead Turn right |
| 19. | C M-X-K X | Collected jog Change rein Halt 3 seconds, back 6 steps Proceed collected jog |
| 20. | A X | Down centerline Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 3 Test 2
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | I C | Collected lope, right lead Turn right |
| 3. | M-P P | Lengthen stride in lope Collected lope |
| 4. | A L | Down centerline Simple change of lead Continue collected lope, left lead |
| 5. | I C | Simple change of lead Continue collected lope, right lead Turn right |
| 6. | M-R R-E E-V | Working walk (x2 Coefficient) Free walk Working walk |
| 7. | V | Halt, back 6 steps Proceed collected lope, left lead |
| 8. | A-C | 3 loop serpentine, quarter line to quarter line, no change of lead (x2 Coefficient) |
| 9. | C | Circle left 20m with clear release of reins for 4-5 strides over centerline |
| 10. | H-V V | Lengthened lope Collected lope |
| 11. | A F-B | Collected jog (x2 Coefficient) Shoulder-in left |
| 12. | B-M | Renvers |
| 13. | S-F F | Lengthen stride in jog Collected jog |
| 14. | K-E | Shoulder-in right (x2 Coefficient) |
| 15. | E-H | Renvers |
| 16. | H C-A | Collected lope Serpenteine quarter line to quarter line, no change of lead (x2 Coefficient) |
| 17. | K-X-I I G | Collected lope Collected jog Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 3 Test 3
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | C H-X-F F | Track left Lengthen stride in jog Collected jog |
| 3. | A D-X | Turn down centerline Shoulder-in right |
| 4. | X-G | Renvers |
| 5. | C H-X | Turn left Half pass left |
| 6. | X-K | Half pass right |
| 7. | A D-X | Turn down centerline Shoulder-in left |
| 8. | X-G C | Renvers Track right |
| 9. | M R | working walk Turn right |
| 10. | Between R & I | Halt 3 seconds, pivot right 360 degrees, proceed working walk (x2 Coefficient) |
| 11. | Between I & S S | Halt 3 seconds, pivot left 360 degrees, rpoceed working walk (x2 Coefficient) Turn left |
| 12. | E-P P | Free walk (x2 Coefficient) Working walk |
| 13. | F A-C | Collected lope, right lead Serpentine of 3 loops width of the arena, no change of lead |
| 14. | M-L L | Half pass right Straight ahead |
| 15. | A V-R X | Track right (x2 Coefficient) Change rein, collected lope Simple change of lead |
| 16. | C | Circle left 15m with clear release of reins for 4-5 strides over centerline (x2 Coefficient) |
| 17. | C-A | Serpentine of 3 loops width of the arena, no change of lead |
| 18. | F-I I | Half pass left Straight ahead |
| 19. | C S-P X | Turn left (x2 Coefficient) Change of rein Simple change of lead |
| 20. | A L X | Down centerline Collected jog Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
2022 WDAA Western Dressage Level 3 Test 4
| 1. | A X | Enter collected jog Halt, salute Proceed collected jog |
| 2. | C M-X | Track right Half pass right |
| 3. | X-F | Half pass left |
| 4. | K-R R | Lengthen the stride in jog (x2 Coefficient) Collected jog |
| 5. | M C | Collected lope, left lead Circle left 10m |
| 6. | After C Between E & X | Turn down the quarter line Halt 3 seconds on the quarter line |
| 7. | Between E & X | Half pivot right Proceed collected lope right lead At the rail, track right |
| 8. | C | Circle right 15m with clear release of reins for 4-5 strides over centerline |
| 9. | After C Between B & X | Turn down the quarter line Halt 3 seconds on the quarter line |
| 10. | Between B & X | Half pivot left Proceed collected lope left lead At the rail, track left |
| 11. | C H-B B | Working walk Change rein, free walk Working walk |
| 12. | P P-B | Halt (x2 Coefficient) Back Proceed collected lope |
| 13. | A D-R | Turn down centerline Half pass right |
| 14. | Between R & M | Simple change of lead (x2 Coefficient) |
| 15. | C G-P | Turn down centerline Half pass left |
| 16. | Between P & F | Simple change of lead (x2 Coefficient) |
| 17. | A L X | Down centerline Collected jog Halt, salute |
Leave arena at A in a walk with looped or long reins
Dressage Academy does not endorse any rider, horse, farm or breed. These tests are used to provide a visual aid in understanding the movements of the test only. All tests are provided by YouTube